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How we allocate our houses

Information on how we allocate our houses and the council's allocation policy.

The Council allocates houses according to its allocation policy. The allocation policy is reviewed regularly and sets out which groups can be considered for social rented housing in East Renfrewshire. The allocation policy clearly sets out how points and priority grouping are awarded.

The allocation policy aims to give a reasonable preference for housing to certain groups. Those considered as having the greatest need are awarded the highest level of priority. Those who are currently living in suitable accommodation are unlikely to be considered to have a high priority, and therefore unlikely to receive an offer of housing in a short timescale.

Applicants who are assessed as unintentionally homeless are considered to have the greatest need. These applicants are given the highest priority available (Group 1). Other applicants are awarded 'group priorities' according to their circumstances, as follows:

Group 1 includes all applicants assessed as 'unintentionally homeless', as well as those applicants designated as being a 'special case'.

Group 2 includes East Renfrewshire Council tenants whose house is subject to a demolition order, or who have been awarded a 'two for one' priority (that is, where two households combine, freeing a property for let.) This group also includes those tenants adversely affected by the Welfare Reform Act in relation to under-occupying bedrooms at their current property.

Group 3 includes all applicants who have been given a medical priority.

Group 4 includes all other applicants with a local connection.

Group 5 holds all applicants with no local connection to the area.

There are three main social housing providers in East Renfrewshire: the council, Arklet Housing Association and Barrhead Housing Association. The three providers work together to form the East Renfrewshire Housing Register (ERHR). This means you only need to complete one application form in order to be considered for housing by all three and you can obtain housing options advice from any of them.

Each housing association uses its own allocation policy to assess an applicant's circumstances and decide on priority for rehousing. A summary of each allocation policy is contained within the information leaflet supplied with the ERHR application form. You can obtain an application pack for housing from any of the 3 partners using the contact details below, or you can download the forms in PDF format from the links on this page.

Each of the partners provides a mix of sizes and types of homes in locations across East Renfrewshire. Most of these homes are to meet general housing needs but there are also sheltered, amenity and wheelchair accessible properties within the stock.

Property numbers on offer from ERHR partners by type

This table shows the number of properties each of the three main landlords (East Renfrewshire Council, Barrhead Housing Association, and Arklet Housing Association) has in East Renfrewshire, broken down into general needs, sheltered and amenity or wheelchair accessible* properties (Housing Association figures from APSR returns. Council figures from Scottish Government return).

There are also a number of other housing associations who have homes for social rent in East Renfrewshire. These landlords have a range of sizes and types of properties, some catering for the elderly and those with disabilities.

Contact details for other housing associations with properties in the area are as follows:

Property numbers on offer from other local housing associations by type

The table below shows the number of properties each housing association has in East Renfrewshire, broken down into general needs, sheltered and amenity or wheelchair accessible* properties (figures from most recent APSR returns).